Lifting device



Dec. 2,- 1930.

' G. B. RANDOLPH:

LIFTING'DEVICE Filed Feb. 35 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet ATTORN Dec. 2, 1930. G. B. RANDOLPH LIFTING DEVICE Filed Feb. '25,

1930 2 Sheets-Sheet IN VENIOR. Gearye Blizzndook BY I ATTORNEY.

" Patented Dec. 2, 1930' T PATENT *ffi GEORGE; B. nannonrnior "sAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ,LI/IETTNG DEVICE 1 Application fildTebriiarY 25, 1930; Serial Nd. 431,313;

This invention relatesto a lifting device and has for its primary object to provide, in

a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of such class which is adapted to be fixedly mounted on an airplane, andby means of i which an upward force may beexerted on the airplane to lift the same. p I

A. further object of the invention is to provide a device forthe purpose aforesaid which may be slidably mounted with respect to a supporting structure in order that the device may be utilized for hoisting heavy objects.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and asillustratedin the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be taken as illustrative and that the invention is intended to be limited only by the l scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings in whlchv like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is an elevation of a lifting device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view as viewed from a right angle to Figure .1. 1

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the li'ne4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 designates an elongated body of cylindrical construction which is provided at its lower end with a compressor pump 2 operated by a motor 3. The body 1 consti- "tutes a tank for the compression therein of a fluid by means of the pump 2 andmotor 3. The tank 1 is tapered at its upper end, as

indicated at 4, the tapered portion terminating in a relatively small outlet 5 arranged concentrically with respect to the tank 1.

Having their lower ends fixedly secured to the tank 1 are a plurality of upwardly and outwardly inclined supporting arms 6 upon the upper ends of which a pair of plates 7 are supported i'elation.'- Tnf the presentinstance, four of the supporting arms 6 areprovidedfand each of the plates is supported .at its lower, corners by a pair of V said supporting arms, Theplates are con; nected to each other at their lower corners,

for operating the, same,- and which is pro vided atitsother endwith a gear 12 mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith. In mesh. with the gear 12 is a similar gear 13. which is fixedly mounted on a shaft 1 1 journaled in the plates 7 and disposed in parallel relation to the shaft 10.

The shaft 10 is formed or provided with 7 Ya plurality of blades 15 which project'from the shaft ,atright angles to each other and which constitute a fan element. "The blades 15 are disposed betweenthe plates 7' and the length of the-bladesis= substantially equal to the space between the plates. .The shaft 1 1 is provided with a plurality of bladesf16 similar to the blades 15, the blades 16 projecting from the shaft 1 1 at right anglesto each other and being arrangedin staggered relation with respect tothe blades 15 and with the paths of travel of the blades 16 overlapping thepaths of travel of the blades 15. 4 V l In the operation vof the device, airor other fluid is compressed within the tank 1- means of the pump. 2,-such air-being forced. from the tank 1 through the opening-5, The 1 5 may be regulated: as desired by. means of a valve 17 disposed vwithin the taperedupor} .tion 4 of the tank, Simultaneously with the operation of the pump 2, "thesh'aft iO is rorate of flow of theair through the opening loo tated by means of the motor 11, which causes a rotation of the gears12 and 13 in opposite directions, whereby the fan elements on the shafts l and 1% are also rotated in opposit-e directions. In the rotation of the fan elements the blades 15 and 16 are forced against the pressure of the air escaping from the outlet 5, and owing to the inability of the air to escape from between the plates 7, except at the lower edges of the latter, a bodily lifting movement is imparted to the entire device.

It is thought that the many advantages of a lifting device in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to .be understood that changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A lifting device comprising, a vertically' disposed tank having a restricted outlet at its upper end, a fluid compressor pump or pumps located at the lower end of the tank for compressing a. fluid therein and dis charging the compressed fluid therefrom, and a pair of oppositely rotating fan elements disposed above the outlet and having their blades directed against the flow of fluid from the'outlet.

2. A lifting device comprising, a vertically disposed tank'having a tapered upper end portion terminating in a relatively small outlet, a fluid compressor pump or pumps located at the lower end of the tank for com pressing a fluidv therein and discharging the fluid therefrom, a valve mounted in the tapered portion of the tank for controlling the flow of fluid through the outlet, and a pair of oppositely rotating fan elements disposed above the outlet and having their blades directed against the flow of fluid from the outlet.

3. A lifting device comprising, 'a vertically disposed tank having a restricted outlet at its upper end, a fluid compressor located at the lower end of the tank for compressing a fluid therein and discharging the fluid therefrom, a pair of spaced, vertically disposed plates oppositely arranged with respect to the outlet and having their lower edges depending below the outlet, a pair of rotatable shafts extending transversely of the plates, and a fan element carried by each of said shafts, said fan elements having their blades arranged in staggered relation and directed against the flow of fluid from the tank.

4. A lifting device comprising, a vertically disposed cylindrical tank having a restricted outlet at its upper end, compressor pump or pumps located at the lower-end of journaled in said plates and extending transversely thereof, meshing gears mounted on sald shafts to rotate therewith, operating means for rotating one of said shafts, and a pair of fan elements carried by each of said shafts, each of said fan elements including a plurality of blades extending at right angles to each other, the blades of the respective fan elements being arranged in staggered relation and operating against the flow of fluid from said outlet.

Intestimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

GEORGE B. RANDOLPH. 

